Senate

Among Canadian democratic institutions, the Senate is arguably the most controversial and, for many Canadians, the least understood. With legislation to reform the Senate once again before Parliament, the Centre will be holding a debate to discuss what, if anything, is wrong with the Senate of Canada, whether it should be reformed and, if so, by what means.
Debaters: Senator Hugh Segal; Senator James S.

The federal or national government is the central level of government in Canada, and is involved in many aspects of Canadians’ lives. The federal government plays a role in such things as the provision of social services, the economy, national defence and security, criminal law, foreign affairs and First Nations policy. This article provides an overview of the federal government in Canada, including its role and powers, its central political, financial and administrative processes, as well as key issues and debates in federal government.

The Charlottetown Accord is a set of failed constitutional amendments, proposed in the early 1990s, to gain Quebec’s formal acceptance of the Canadian Constitution. The Charlottetown Accord was the second attempt to bring Quebec into the constitutional fold, and was initiated after the failed Meech Lake Accord of 1987. This article provides an introduction to the history and substance of the Charlottetown Accord.

Find an in-depth interview with the Speaker of the Senate, Noël A. Kinsella. The interview focuses on several subjects, including questions relating to the Canadian Senate, and some of the proposals to reform the Senate.

I am scheduled to do an interview with Senator Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Canadian Senate. I'm providing visitors (and forum members) the opportunity to submit potential questions to Senator Kinsella.

p>The opposition is an important element of the Canadian parliamentary tradition and the day-to-day operation of government. This article examines the role, structure and powers of the opposition in Canada’s premier national legislature, the House of Commons.

p>Canada’s parliamentary system is a central component to its government. This system frames the relationship between Canadians and their political leaders, the manner in which laws are passed, and the organization and authority of key government positions and institutions.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet sit at the pinnacle of executive political power in Canada. They are responsible for leading the nation and deciding the direction of national public policy. This article provides an introduction to Prime Minister and Cabinet as institutions in the Canadian government.

Canada has a long monarchical tradition, beginning with the chief leadership of Aboriginal groups, the rule of French monarchs in New France, and British monarchs in Canada. This article presents Canada's monarchal traditions and institutions: it discusses the concept of monarchy, its history in Canada, its relationship with other governmental institutions, the profile of the current monarchy, as well as the debates and issues facing the monarchy in Canada.